Daily Yellowstone journal., 1887-02-01
Tuesday, February 4, 1887.
Two YEARS ago business was at q
low ebb. MANY manufacturing estab.

low ebb. Many manufacturing estab-
lishments were shut down, others
were working on short time. Mer.
chants were dissatisfied at their linn
tied trade, very few were making
money, and II the majority kept from
running behind, 1t was about all they
expected. At this time a few econo-
mists, who took q careful survey Of
the situation, predicted q change for
the better. The prediction proved
correct. Early In 1884 there were
signs Of Improvement. Stocks Of some
description having been nearly ex-
hausted, merchants all about the
country b'gan to enquire for certain
staples. Manufacturers set about Il
supply the demand. There was not
an urgent call at once for all kinds Of
goods; the call came gradually, and so,
M after another, fires were lighted In
the furnaces, and spindles were set to
work All through the year 1884, and
1885, there was u gradual improve
ment, caused, not by the result of
elections. OF favorable legislation. nor
the promise Of 1t. The people raised
crops, they were sold aud consumed at
home and abroad, anu the money re-
ceived by the producer he began to
feel he could exp-nd. He put him
self and family on short allowance for
months on account of the dullnes. of
the times, low prices, etc., but the
time had come for a more liberal QUIZ
lay which previous savings could az
ford, hence the call for goods; ore
movement stimulated another. and
delayed public and private movements
were started as pushed forward. Bus
mess all along the liue was active in
1886. Trade was so prosperous that
merchants aud manufactures felt
much Of old time hope and confidence.
Railroad building was prosecuted with
great vigor, showing a decided in
erease ver former years in the miles
of track lid. Possibly new railroad
schemes have been a little too numer-
Gus; all the recently constructed lines,
or those under construction, may not
prove proatable. Many of the old
short lines and cross roads have never
yielded a profit to stockholders, but
they serve to develop the country, and
enable the agriculturalist, particularly
at the west, to ready market. The
great trunk lines have recently been
doing a large business, and several
have had to largely increase their roll
ing stock to meet the transportation
necessities. The accumulations OF pro-
duce have been more than they could
handle. Warehouses are ~groaning to
be relieved. Real estate In many
localities has materially increased In
value ~ the last twelve or eighteen
months. This is true net only In
growing towns, but il true, also, in
eastern towns. 10 Boston, for in
stance, the assessors made the valua-
ton Of the real and personal property
of that city SIS, 0OO, 900 more 10 1886
than in 1855. The advance in Boston
~ by no means an exception. The re-
ports Of manufacturing establishments
all over the country are in the main
favorable, showing gratifying improve
ment in volume Of business and in
profits. Space will not admit OF a
specification OF the better conditions
OF affairs in the varied important in.
dustries of the country. A contempo-
rary states what all must concede, that
Hooking over the broad field Of trade,
most Of the conditions appear favora-
BILE for even greater progress during
the coming year than has character.
lied 1895. "-Eastern Exchange.